Lebron James warms up wearing an 'I Can't Breathe' t-shirt. The shirts protest a grand jury decision not to indict an NYPD officer in the death of Eric Garner.
i can't breathe
'I Can't Breathe' t-shirts latest in long line of athletes making political statements
Lebron James and other athletes who made symbolic political statements.
LEBRON JAMES, WIDELY regarded as the best player in the NBA, joined many of his colleagues in earlier this month in wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the phrase, “I CAN’T BREATHE”, which is reported to be one of the last things Eric Garner ever said.
Garner’s death came after he was dragged to the ground and restrained by New York Police Department officers, but a grand jury declined to indict a white officer, triggering waves of protest.
US President Barack Obama supported Lebron’s decision to protest, saying, “I’d like to see more athletes do that. Not just around this issue, but around a range of issues.”
Athletes have sometimes been criticised for failing to use their public positions to promote causes, but decisions like this demonstrate that sometimes sportspeople are willing to take a stand. Below are some of the most prominent instances of athletes standing up for what they believe in.
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1968 Olympics Human Rights Salute
US athletes Tommie Smith (centre) and John Carlos (right) raise their hands in protest on the Olympic podium. Australia's Peter Norman wore an Olympic Human Rights badge in empathy. AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
After one of the greatest successes of their lives, sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos made a brave decision. After Smith won the 200 metres final, with Carlos coming third, they stood upon the podium, lowered their heads and raised their fists. The gesture was similar to the Black Power salute associated with the Black Panthers, but Smith has since referred to it as an effort to bring attention to inequality in America and a “cry for freedom.”
Silver medalist Peter Norman of Australia wore an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge in solidarity. Like Smith and Carlos, Norman was ostracised for his gesture when he returned home. However, history has smiled on their brave stand.
Muhammed Ali refuses to go to Vietnam
Ali made a stand against the war in Vietnam. Allsport / INPHO
Allsport / INPHO / INPHO
In 1967, Ali, the heavyweight champion of the world, refused to be inducted into the US Army because to fight in Vietnam would be contrary to his Muslim faith. He lost his title, was convicted of draft evasion, fined $10,000, and banned from boxing for three years, though he was able to stay out of prison while the case was being appealed. The Supreme Court ultimately overturned his conviction, and his decision, as well as his skill in the ring, ultimately won him admiration around the world.
Brendon Ayanbadejo promotes equal marriage
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Brendon Alyanbadejo, is not gay, but the former Baltimore Ravens linebacker was brought up to stand up for others. During his career he repeatedly made statements in favour of equal marriage, once prompting Maryland state representative Emmett C. Burns to call on Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti to stop Ayanbadejo from expressing support for equal marriage. Bisciotti wouldn’t, and Ayanbadejo’s efforts received a great deal of support, including from other NFL players.
Athlete protests before and during Sochi Olympics
Emma Green Tregaro made her feelings on Russia's law clear by painting her nails in rainbow colours to symbolise gay pride. Ivan Sekretarev
Ivan Sekretarev
Heading into Sochi 2014, the Winter Olympics were probably more controversial than ever before. Russia’s law banning the promotion of nontraditional sexual relationships came under fire from athletes and activists. The summer before, at the World Athletics Championship in Moscow, Swedish athletes Emma Green Tregaro and Moa Hjelmer painted their nails in rainbow colours to make their feelings on the law transparent.
At the games themselves several athletes made their own protests. After one run, gay Dutch snowboarder Cheryl Maas showed the television cameras her glove, covered in rainbows and unicorns – another quiet but powerful gesture.
Are there other political stands by athletes that stand out to you? Let us know in the comments.
'I Can't Breathe' t-shirts latest in long line of athletes making political statements
LEBRON JAMES, WIDELY regarded as the best player in the NBA, joined many of his colleagues in earlier this month in wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the phrase, “I CAN’T BREATHE”, which is reported to be one of the last things Eric Garner ever said.
Garner’s death came after he was dragged to the ground and restrained by New York Police Department officers, but a grand jury declined to indict a white officer, triggering waves of protest.
Players around the NBA and NFL such as Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose, and Reggie Bush have worn shirts protesting this and other incidents, such as the shooting death of another young, black, male, Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old shot while playing with a pellet gun.
US President Barack Obama supported Lebron’s decision to protest, saying, “I’d like to see more athletes do that. Not just around this issue, but around a range of issues.”
Athletes have sometimes been criticised for failing to use their public positions to promote causes, but decisions like this demonstrate that sometimes sportspeople are willing to take a stand. Below are some of the most prominent instances of athletes standing up for what they believe in.
1968 Olympics Human Rights Salute
After one of the greatest successes of their lives, sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos made a brave decision. After Smith won the 200 metres final, with Carlos coming third, they stood upon the podium, lowered their heads and raised their fists. The gesture was similar to the Black Power salute associated with the Black Panthers, but Smith has since referred to it as an effort to bring attention to inequality in America and a “cry for freedom.”
Silver medalist Peter Norman of Australia wore an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge in solidarity. Like Smith and Carlos, Norman was ostracised for his gesture when he returned home. However, history has smiled on their brave stand.
Muhammed Ali refuses to go to Vietnam
In 1967, Ali, the heavyweight champion of the world, refused to be inducted into the US Army because to fight in Vietnam would be contrary to his Muslim faith. He lost his title, was convicted of draft evasion, fined $10,000, and banned from boxing for three years, though he was able to stay out of prison while the case was being appealed. The Supreme Court ultimately overturned his conviction, and his decision, as well as his skill in the ring, ultimately won him admiration around the world.
Brendon Ayanbadejo promotes equal marriage
Brendon Alyanbadejo, is not gay, but the former Baltimore Ravens linebacker was brought up to stand up for others. During his career he repeatedly made statements in favour of equal marriage, once prompting Maryland state representative Emmett C. Burns to call on Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti to stop Ayanbadejo from expressing support for equal marriage. Bisciotti wouldn’t, and Ayanbadejo’s efforts received a great deal of support, including from other NFL players.
Athlete protests before and during Sochi Olympics
Heading into Sochi 2014, the Winter Olympics were probably more controversial than ever before. Russia’s law banning the promotion of nontraditional sexual relationships came under fire from athletes and activists. The summer before, at the World Athletics Championship in Moscow, Swedish athletes Emma Green Tregaro and Moa Hjelmer painted their nails in rainbow colours to make their feelings on the law transparent.
At the games themselves several athletes made their own protests. After one run, gay Dutch snowboarder Cheryl Maas showed the television cameras her glove, covered in rainbows and unicorns – another quiet but powerful gesture.
Are there other political stands by athletes that stand out to you? Let us know in the comments.
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Brendon Ayanbadejo Derrick Rose eric garner i can't breathe john carlos Kobe Bryant Lebron James Muhammed Ali Tommie Smith